Forrest and his mother, Nora Barr, were happy to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011. The global event sought to promote the environmental and economic benefits of cloth diapers by setting a Guinness World Record.

More than 300 cloth diaper groups gathered across the globe to participate in the record-setting event. Forrest Barr was among 34 babies who had their diapers changed at Belle Up Maternity, 3440 W. 111th St. in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood.

“It is so nice not to have to go to the store to buy (disposable) diapers,” Nora Barr said.

Organizers estimate 10,000 children had their diapers changed as part of the worldwide event, which coincides with Earth Week.

Katrina Pavlik, of Beverly, was a driving force behind the event in Mount Greenwood. She has two sons and wore a sticker on her blouse touting her 58 months of cloth diapering experience.

“I want South Siders to see that cloth diapers are a viable option for parents,” Pavlik said.

She started Cloth Diaper Chicago in June 2009. The online support group offers parents interested in cloth diapering a forum to ask questions and share solutions. Members of the online community also meet monthly at Belle Up.

Pavlik started the group through Yahoo.com, and membership has grown to 175 parents and caregivers. Cloth Diaper Chicago also has a Facebook page boasting 276 fans.

She recently crunched the numbers, estimating her group has encouraged 300 parents to use cloth diapers. If so, Cloth Diaper Chicago has saved 90,000 pounds of wood, 15,000 pounds of petroleum and 6,000 pounds of chlorine.

Since Pavlik began her local support group, similar groups have sprung up in Northbrook, Lombard, Orland Park and the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

“Moms have really come out of the woodwork,” she said.

Jessica Fong, Jesus Oviedo and their 7-month-old son Matias Oviedo-Fong were among the crowd on the South Side. They traveled 25 miles from the Logan Square neighborhood to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011.

Both of the parents were raised wearing cloth diapers and decided to follow suit with their son. Fong said she is surprised how cloth diapers are now considered trendy. Oviedo highlighted the practical side of cloth diapers.

“I just think it’s about not being wasteful and saving money,” Oviedo said.

The SouthtownStar contributed to this report, via the Sun-Times Media Wire